Mirotic hits early slump
Nikola Mirotic has been learning what happens when you have success in the NBA.
Defenses pay close attention.
The Chicago Bulls' second-year forward got off to a great start this season, averaging 18.8 points and 6.5 rebounds over the first four games. It looked like Mirotic and Jimmy Butler would settle in as the team's leading scorers.
The problem is, the best scorers garner the most attention. In the past three games, Mirotic's numbers have been in the sewer - 3.7 points per game with a .167 field-goal percentage.
It may not be a coincidence the Bulls lost two of those three contests.
"Definitely, they're switching more on the pick and rolls," Mirotic said Sunday at the Advocate Center. "They're adjusting the defense, so I need to do the same thing. I need to adjust, too, when they are doing different defense."
Mirotic is doing most of his work from long distance - 41 of his 71 shots attempts have come from 3-point range. That sort of shot selection is bound to come with peaks and valleys.
With the team ready to depart for a road game in Philadelphia, Mirotic was the last player to leave the floor Sunday. He talked about keeping his confidence up, but at the same time sounded like a supremely confident scorer.
"If you're confident, it doesn't matter if the guy is defending me good or not, I know I'm going to make shots," Mirotic said. "It's about me."
The 6-foot-10 forward was never much of a factor in Saturday's 102-93 overtime loss to Minnesota. He left the floor early after picking up 2 quick fouls and finished the night with 5 fouls and 4 points in 17 minutes.
The Bulls' offense had a hideous finish, going 1-for-20 from the field during the final 6:30 of the fourth quarter, plus overtime. Mirotic played a few minutes down the stretch but missed all 3 of his shots.
On the bright side, one of his misses was tipped in by Pau Gasol for the Bulls' only basket in the final 11 minutes. The Bulls were shut out in overtime for the first time in franchise history. They would like to see Mirotic become a consistent scorer, but coach Fred Hoiberg shrugged off the recent slump.
"Maybe (he's) rushing it a little bit, pressing, which happens when you have games like that," Hoiberg said. "That's the least of my concerns. I just saw him make about 30 in a row from the corner over there after practice. He's going to be fine."
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